Portable fuel container system with attachment means and associated methods

Abstract

Provided is a portable container system for holding and dispensing a quantity of fuel. The container includes an attachment for attaching the container to a support area, such as a belt loop, and a self-closing dispensing cap for dispensing the gasoline contained within the container. Additionally, the container is constructed of an approved material for storing gasoline, is painted bright red, and includes a warning that indicates the contents of the container. The internal volume of the container holds between 16-32 ounces of fuel, which provides extended use of conventional lawn equipment while being light enough to attach to a belt loop or other support area for hands-free use.

That which is claimed is:  
     
       1. A cap adapted to be connected to a container, the cap comprising:
 a first cap member comprising
 a base having a top and sidewalls extending downwardly from the top, 
 an intermediate member connected to and extending upwardly from the top of the base, 
 a top member connected to and extending upwardly from a top of the intermediate member, and 
 a gasket carried by an upper portion of the top member; 
 
 a spring member adapted to be carried by the intermediate member of the first cap member and to be positioned adjacent to the top member of the first cap member when carried by the intermediate member; 
 a second cap member that movably and detachably connects to the first cap member, and that overlies the spring member when connected to the first cap member, the second cap member comprising
 a base having a top and sidewalls that extend downwardly from the top, and 
 a top connected to and extending upwardly from the base; and 
 
 a plug member comprising
 a top, 
 an elongate bottom extending downwardly therefrom including a three wings descending from an underside of the top of the plug member radiating outwardly from a central point thereof, and 
 a gasket to be carried adjacent to the top of the plug member; 
 
 wherein the top of the plug member is adapted to engage the top of the top of the second cap member; 
 wherein the elongate bottom of the plug member extends downwardly through a passageway formed in the second cap member and a passageway formed in the first cap member; 
 wherein a bottom portion of the elongate bottom of the plug member is adapted to engage an interior bottom portion of the top of the first cap member; and 
 wherein the cap is moveable between an open position and a closed position, the open position being defined as the spring member being compressed so that the second cap member slidably moves with respect to the first cap member and so that the top of the plug member is spaced apart from the top of the second cap member. 
 
     
     
       2. The cap of  claim 1 , wherein at least one tab extends outwardly from and perpendicular to an outer surface of the intermediate member of the first cap member and at least one groove is formed in the sidewalls of the base of the second cap member adjacent a bottom portion thereof sized to slidably accept the tab of the intermediate member of the first cap member. 
     
     
       3. The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the gasket of the first cap member is within a recess on an exterior surface of the top member. 
     
     
       4. The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the gasket of the plug member is positioned within a recess adjacent an underside of the top of the plug member. 
     
     
       5. The cap of  claim 1 , wherein a tab extends outwardly from a distal end of at least one of the three wings. 
     
     
       6. The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls of the base include threads on an inner surface thereof. 
     
     
       7. The cap of  claim 1 , wherein at least one tab extends outwardly from and perpendicular to an outer surface of the base of the second cap member. 
     
     
       8. A cap adapted to be connected to a container, the cap comprising:
 a first cap member comprising
 a base having a top and sidewalls extending downwardly from the top, 
 an intermediate member connected to and extending upwardly from the top of the base, 
 a top member connected to and extending upwardly from a top of the intermediate member, and 
 a gasket carried within a recess on an exterior surface of an upper portion of the top member; 
 
 a spring member adapted to be carried by the intermediate member of the first cap member and to be positioned adjacent to the top member of the first cap member when carried by the intermediate member; 
 a second cap member that movably and detachably connects to the first cap member, and that overlies the spring member when connected to the first cap member, the second cap member comprising
 a base having a top and sidewalls that extend downwardly from the top, and 
 a top connected to and extending upwardly from the base; and 
 
 a plug member comprising
 a top, 
 an elongate bottom extending downwardly therefrom, and 
 a gasket carried within a recess adjacent an underside of the top; 
 
 wherein the sidewalls of the base include threads on an inner surface thereof; 
 wherein at least one tab extends outwardly from and perpendicular to an outer surface of the intermediate member of the first cap member and at least one groove is formed in the sidewalls of the base of the second cap member adjacent a bottom portion thereof sized to slidably accept the tab of the intermediate member of the first cap member; 
 wherein a tab extends outwardly from a distal end of at least one of the three wings; 
 wherein the top of the plug member is adapted to engage the top of the top of the second cap member; 
 wherein the elongate bottom of the plug member extends downwardly through a passageway formed in the second cap member and a passageway formed in the first cap member; 
 wherein the elongate bottom of the plug member includes three wings descending from an underside of the top of the plug member radiating outwardly from a central point thereof; 
 wherein a bottom portion of the elongate bottom of the plug member is adapted to engage an interior bottom portion of the top of the first cap member; 
 wherein the cap is moveable between an open position and a closed position, the open position being defined as the spring member being compressed so that the second cap member slidably moves with respect to the first cap member and so that the top of the plug member is spaced apart from the top of the second cap member; and 
 wherein at least one tab extends outwardly from and perpendicular to an outer surface of the base of the second cap member. 
 
     
     
       9. A container system comprising:
 a container comprising
 a bottom and sidewalls connected to and extending upwardly from a perimeter of the bottom, and 
 an open top connected to the sidewalls; and 
 
 a cap adapted to be connected to the container, the cap comprising
 a first cap member comprising
 a base having a top and sidewalls extending downwardly from the top, 
 an intermediate member connected to and extending upwardly from the top of the base, 
 a top member connected to and extending upwardly from a top of the intermediate member, 
 a gasket carried by an upper portion of the top member, 
 a spring member adapted to be carried by the intermediate member of the first cap member and to be positioned adjacent to the top member of the first cap member when carried by the intermediate member, 
 a second cap member that movably and detachably connects to the first cap member, and that overlies the spring member when connected to the first cap member, the second cap member comprising 
 a base having a top and sidewalls that extend downwardly from the top, and 
 a top connected to and extending upwardly from the base, 
 
 a plug member comprising
 a top, 
 an elongate bottom extending downwardly therefrom, 
 a gasket to be carried adjacent to the top; 
 wherein the sidewalls of the base include threads on an inner surface thereof and wherein the top of the container has threads on an exterior surface thereof adapted to matingly engage the threads on the inner surface of the sidewalls of the base, 
 wherein the top of the plug member is adapted to engage the top of the top of the second cap member, 
 wherein the elongate bottom of the plug member extends downwardly through a passageway formed in the second cap member and a passageway formed in the first cap member, 
 wherein the elongate bottom of the plug member includes a three wings descending from an underside of the top of the plug member radiating outwardly from a central point thereof, 
 wherein a bottom portion of the elongate bottom of the plug member is adapted to engage an interior bottom portion of the top of the first cap member, and 
 wherein the cap is moveable between an open position and a closed position, the open position being defined as the spring member being compressed so that the second cap member slidably moves with respect to the first cap member and so that the top of the plug member is spaced apart from the top of the second cap member. 
 
 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein at least one tab extends outwardly from and perpendicular to an outer surface of the intermediate member of the first cap member and at least one groove is formed in the sidewalls of the base of the second cap member adjacent a bottom portion thereof sized to slidably accept the tab of the intermediate member of the first cap member. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the gasket is within a recess on an exterior surface of the top member. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the plug member has a gasket within a recess adjacent an underside of the top of the plug member. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 9 , wherein a tab extends outwardly from a distal end of at least one of the three wings. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 9 , wherein at least one tab extends outwardly from and perpendicular to an outer surface of the base of the second cap member.